Almost all independent schools offer scholarships and bursaries from the 11+ or 13+ level – as they are ranked by GCSE and A-Level results, schools are usually happy to attract those pupils who score highest on the entrance exams. It is much harder to find schools that offer financial assistance to talented boys and girls at the primary level, and it is those scholarships or bursaries that I want to focus on. Here is a description of the various scholarships and bursaries I have found at the prep school level among the top schools in London. If you know of any further scholarships that I have not included here, please do leave a comment so I can add it to the list.

Arnold House Bursary Scheme: offers four bursary places of up to 100% of fees to boys based on academic potential whose parents would not otherwise be able to afford private education. These bursaries are available to boys in Years 5, 6 and 7. The school aims to increase the number of bursary places to eight over the coming years.

Cameron House School Foundation Scholarship: this is a bursary scheme for talented boys and girls aged 8, 9 or 10 to enjoy a Cameron House School education “at a heavily reduced rate”. Candidates are assessed in English and Maths and spend a day at the school.

Garden House Boys’ School Scholarship: this scholarship covers 50% of fees and is based on academic performance. It is open to boys applying for 8+ entry and a further means-tested bursary may be available

Newton Prep School in Battersea Park offers academic scholarships for candidates applying for a 7+ / 8+ place up to a value of £250 per term. These can be increased by a means-tested bursary fund.

Pembridge Hall / Wetherby Prep Tsukanov Scholarships: the Alpha Plus Group of schools offers two scholarships from the 7+ level for boys and girls with excellent academics paired with outstanding musical talent. Preference is given to candidates of Russian or other Slavonic origin.

Redcliffe School Bursary Scheme: this lovely co-educational (boys 3- 8, girls 3 -11) prep school with nursery on Redcliffe Square in Chelsea offers bursary places of up to 100% for families who can’t afford the fees.

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Hi Celia,
very good point! You mean on the website in general or for scholarships specifically? For scholarships I have to look into it quickly – on a general note, I did not include Bute House in the top 25 list solely because I started out this page focusing on Central London schools that tend to be popular with internationals, and though Bute House has fantastic results, it seemed to be a more British prep school popular with locals from Hammersmith and Fulham. This is when I started, I now definitely agree that I should include them, along with some other popular schools such as Newton Prep or Haberdasher’s and Dulwich College – so I will expand the list of schools as soon as I can! Thank you for reminding me!

Hi Alice,
there are bursaries and scholarship. Bursaries often start from Reception, scholarships generally don’t start till Year 3, but you need to check what financial aid schools in your area offer, it varies from school to school. Criteria for bursaries tend to be quite strict, so even if you can’t afford independent school, it could still be hard to qualify, income thresholds are well below what you would need to afford private. Scholarships are usually based on academic performance, so another option is to start out at state primary and make sure your kids do well academically so they could do very well on scholarship exams. At the secondary level, there are many more scholarships, so even if you don’t manage private education at the primary level, you should keep trying for secondary. There is not much more one can do I’m afraid. Also think if there is anything you can do on the income side (more work / higher paid job etc) if that’s an option. Good luck!

I do know there is Latymer School, London North Collegiate, St Philips, City of London for boys and girls and those mentioned above that offer scholarship/bursary for entry at 7+.
I was wondering if you have a list for prep school entry at 8+ for bursary or scholarship?

I am the Head of Bute House Preparatory School and wanted to inform you that we now offer bursaries to children applying to join the school. The bursaries are means tested. We are keen to open up the opportunity for girls to come to Bute House whose parents may need financial asistance for them to do so. The registration for the next 7+ assessment has now passed but I wanted to let parents know that this is available and further details can be obtained from the school using the e-mail address above. Mrs Helen Lowe

Hi Alice. Great info. Curious mention bursaries often start in reception. I’ve found none at this age group, few at age 7 and most start age 11. Do you have info on bursaries at reception – which schools? Many thanks

I’m mother of 4-7 years old live in dagenham , My daughter in year 3 and very clever girl , I’m looking for bursaries or scholarship , can help me find school and if I want to move what the best area in london to look for best school

Hi, being as you are listing a slightly broader area than central London, it would be worth including The House Schools Group: Prospect House; Putney, Orchards House; Chiswick and Bassett House; North Kensington. These schools offer means tested scholarships to bright, local children from 7+ through to yr 6. This is funded and administered through the charity: the House Scools Trust – I attach website for further information. Kind regards. Sara

all private secondary schools offer some form of bursaries and scholarships from 11+ onwards usually, so just check which school you are applying for and read through their specific scholarship information.

there is no full scholarship. But scholarships can be topped up to 100% via a means tested bursary. Just go to the CLSG website, click on fees and scholarships and bursaries, each school has their own procedures.